Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Bacon

These Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Bacon are gluten, grain, dairy, egg, soy and sugar-free, as well as Paleo-compliant, and low carb.

With only a sheet pan, a hot oven, and a few ingredients, you can transform a pound of green beans into a savory delight. Think weeknight easy with weekend flair.

Last November when the leftover turkeys went on sale, I bought one and tossed it in our chest freezer for a rainy day. That day arrived on a Saturday in early March when the slopes were too rainy for skiing. I roasted our “Random Turkey” using this dry-brine method. It was a fun opportunity to experiment without the pressure of Thanksgiving, and of course, afterward we had meals and turkey stock for days.

While the turkey rested and I worked on the gravy, I handed Noah a bag of green beans I had completely spaced and said, “Can you please do something with these?”

And just like Noah, he pulled this winner out of nowhere. Adding bacon to everything is one of his signature moves. I think he even lists it as his religion on Facebook- ha! Anywho, Noah is the author of this one, and that usually means bacon is involved and big flavor is guaranteed.

Mushrooms and Selenium

I just noticed that this is my third recipe in a row featuring mushrooms (oops, I promise I’ll give the shrooms a rest after this one), but I have a good excuse! Since embarking on this food-as-medicine quest, I’ve been growing a list of thyroid-superfoods that I purposely try to eat more often. Mushrooms linger at the top. I feel like I have permission to call mushrooms a “superfood” ever since Dr. Mark Hyman listed them on his list of 5 Favorite Superfoods, citing their anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and liver-boosting properties.

The reason I use mushrooms so much here on Hypothyroid Chef is that they contain substantial amounts of selenium. Selenium is one of the key nutrients for thyroid health, and mushrooms happen to be one of the top 10 foods highest in selenium.

So how does selenium work with the thyroid? This article by Marcelle Pick at Women to Women does a great job of explaining it. She says:

“[Selenium] reminds us how vitally important our diets are to our overall health and well-being….In addition to assisting with the production of thyroid hormones, selenium is also critical in the regulation of thyroid hormonal levels. Several of the enzymes arranged around selenium are key factors in assuring that thyroid hormone levels remain balanced.”

She goes on to explain how selenium and iodine are natural partners, and deficiencies in either should be avoided. How do we do that? Well, these Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Bacon are one method of selenium delivery that’s easy to swallow.

What About the Beans?

Green beans are a non-goitrogenic vegetable and are on my list of hypothyroid favorites. The caveat is that they are a legume, and if you are on a gut-healing protocol like the AIP or Paleo diet, you know that you’re supposed to avoid beans. The reason why is because of anti-nutrients like phytates and lectins found in legumes. These anti-nutrients can be hard on the gut, and also reduce the bioavailability of nutrients in your legume-containing meal. But green beans fall into a gray area and are probably fine for most of us.

Her conclusion is that compared to dried beans, the level of anti-nutrients in green beans are comparatively very, very low, and further diminished via cooking. Green beans also differ from dried in that we eat the whole pod, which comprises their bulk, and does not contain significant amounts of anti-nutrients. Therefore, she recommends enjoying green beans if you are on Paleo, but (and this is why I even mention this at all) those on a very strict AIP diet may wish to avoid any amount of exposure to legumes, even green beans.

Wondering about the other ingredients? Let’s take a look at their hypothyroid-specific health bennys:

The Breakdown

Green Beans are a non-goitrogenic vegetable and are considered okay for Paleo dieters, unless you are on a strict AIP regimen. A 1 cup serving contains key thyroid-supporting nutrients like Iron (5% DV), Magnesium (6% DV), Vitamin C (20% DV), and Vitamin A (17% DV), as well as 4 grams of dietary fiber.

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Disclaimer

Hypothyroid Chef is a place to share my recipes and my quest for better thyroid health, with you. I am neither doctor, nor dietitian, but a passionate cook who wants to know more and feel better. This is not a place for medical advice, and any opinions shared are my own. Information shared on Hypothyroid Chef is for educational purposes only and is neither intended nor implied as a substitute for professional medical advice. Before implementing changes to your diet, exercise program, or lifestyle, please consult with your doctor.